Better Than Before (RightMatch.com Trilogy) (22 page)

Annie sighed. “No. Keith objected.”

Actually, he’d gotten mad about it. She didn’t press the issue because she wasn’t sure about involving Alex in something so violent anyway.

“There’s a self-defense class offered at the country club, starting in a week or so. Keith wants him to go to that.”

“Did you tell Keith I suggested boxing?”

“Uh-huh.”

He didn’t respond.

“You don’t think self-defense will help?”

“It will. But I think Alex should train in throwing punches as well as avoiding them.”

“That sounds so violent.”

“Bullying gets violent, Annie. And has violent consequences, which are all over the news.”

She didn’t want to argue with him about the kids. And it didn’t set well that he’d take a stance against her with her own children. “I should go.”

“Whatever you say.”

He didn’t ask to kiss her because she’d refused the last time. But she’d crossed one hurdle today and decided to tackle another. Besides, she’d been thinking about their physical relationship a lot lately. She missed his touch, his embrace, his closeness. So she grasped his neck and pulled his head down. She brushed her lips across his, shocked by the rush of desire she felt at such an innocent embrace. She deepened the kiss and, after a while, drew back. “Did that help?”

“It did.” He held her tight, buried his mouth in the crook of her neck and shoulder. “I miss this so much, Annie.”

Please don’t let him spoil this by pushing
. “I do, too.”

Against her ear he whispered insistently, “I keep thinking how close we were to making love before.”

“And I hope we will be again. Soon. But you have to be patient.”

“Not my strong suit.”

“I can tell.” She drew back. “You have to be better at that, Spence.”

“I hate to think you’re judging me harshly because I want to be with you more. And be closer physically.”

Her annoyance increased. “You’re twisting what I say around to support your points. All I’ve asked for is time.”

Leaning back into his seat, he blew out a heavy breath. “Sorry. I lose my head with you.”

There wasn’t much more to say. Spence wasn’t happy about any of this and he was entitled to his feelings. As Annie got out of the car and walked to the house, she admitted she shared them—she didn’t like the distance between them, either. Not at all. And since she was responsible for it, could change it, she wondered why she didn’t do just that.

o0o

Spence woke up out of sorts the next day. He’d almost blown it last night in the car by pressuring Annie. Because he wanted to move on to the next level with her, because he wanted to make love to her. It had only been three weeks since she’d agreed to see him again, and he shouldn’t be complaining. But her reticence was throwing him off his game. He had none of his usual energy as he went out for his jog, finished it in a pitifully long time and, after showering, went to the office to work with a lethargy that was totally foreign to him. He didn’t check his email until then, and there was a chatty one from Annie about her plans for the week. She was working at Lauren’s spa on Wednesday, which gave him an idea.

Twenty minutes later, he walked through the door of Simple Delights. A receptionist, who was doing Annie’s job, he presumed, greeted him. “May I help you?”

“Is Lauren Lanahan in?” He hadn’t called ahead, fearing Annie’s friend would refuse to see him.

She came out from the back before she could be summoned. Lauren was a striking, sophisticated woman, but he preferred Annie’s wholesome looks. “You need to ready room two, Carrie. We got another booking—” She noticed Spence. “Oh.”

“I was about to come get you,” Carrie said.

“Go ahead and clean the room. I’ll be out here in case the phone rings or someone comes in.”

Clean the room, Spence thought. Annie was doing maid’s work here, too? He hated that. No woman he cared about should have to do those kinds of menial tasks.

When Carrie left, Lauren said, “Hello, Spence. What can I do for you?”

“I don’t exactly know. I guess I was hoping to get some encouragement from you.”

“Really? Why?”

He told her what Annie had said about her friends’ reactions to him.

“Let’s sit over there.” Nodding to an alcove, she crossed to it. She took a seat on a plush, chocolate-colored loveseat and he dropped onto the chair across from her. “I did tell Annie she should consider seeing you again. I believe people deserve second chances. But I also know that you have to understand your relationship with her might not work.”

“She won’t let that possibility out of either of our minds. She brings it up all the time.” Which infuriated him.

“Maybe that will fade after a while. It’s only been a few weeks.”

“Any advice for me?”

“Don’t push her. Trust won’t come no matter how much you want it if the person isn’t ready.”

“Maybe if I was sure of how she felt about me… ” Was that why he’d really come? To press Annie’s friend about her feelings for him? If so, he felt silly, shallow, immature, like he was begging for crumbs from her friend. Sometimes he didn’t even recognize the man who did these kinds of things because of a woman.

“She cares about you. I know she wouldn’t mind my telling you that. And she wants a future with you, Spence. Those are two big plusses in your favor.”

“I’ll try not to push.”

“Do you feel better?” she asked.

“Somewhat.”

Carrie returned to the reception area. “All done.”

When Lauren walked Spence outside, she stopped in front of the shop. “What’s wrong now? You seemed upset when Carrie came back.”

“Annie’s does the same work as Carrie. No offense, but I hate to think of her cleaning up after people.”

“Oh, God, don’t tell her that. Once, I suggested she do a less…menial…job. She had a fit. In no uncertain terms, she told me hard work was nothing to be ashamed of.”

“She’s quite a woman. I keep finding out different facets of her.” And loving most of them. So, okay, maybe he could stomach groveling to Lauren today.

“She’s remarkable. And though I’m trying to help you today, if you hurt her again, I’ll be first in line to tell you to go to hell.”

“I hear you. Since I don’t intend to hurt her again, I’m not worried.”

Absently, Lauren twisted the wedding band on her finger. “Good intentions aren’t always enough. You have to match those with deeds.”

“I will. I promise you.”

“No, promise yourself.”

“I already have. Thanks Lauren.”

“You can thank me by making her happy.”

“Honestly, I’ll do my best.”

After the roller coaster of emotion that had besieged him in the spa, Spence found he felt better as he drove back to the office. And he was going to do his damnedest to keep his promise to Annie’s best friend.

o0o

After their spat in the car Sunday, Spence hadn’t asked to see Annie for a few days. They’d shared some emails as they’d done before they met, but he hadn’t even called.

And though he was doing what she’d asked, taking it slowly, Annie herself was struggling. She hated that their dates ended in disagreements. She hated the uncertainty of their relationship. And for three days, she’d been thinking even more about getter closer physically. So she went to the place she always visited when she was distressed. Moon Stone Labyrinth loomed before her in the morning sun. Though anyone could come to walk the path, the spot was empty today. The clouds overhead had probably kept people away. The threat of a downpour didn’t faze Annie nearly as much as the emotional black clouds she’d been living under. She’d made love with Spence weeks ago and now she found herself wanting him physically, craving his touch, more each day. Why couldn’t they just go to bed together and erase what had happened between them? Maybe she’d find the answer here.

Removing her shoes, she stepped onto the stone path. She preferred walking barefoot, wanting to be one with the earth. She breathed deeply as she made her way to the center in a slow, even stride. Rooted in ancient Greece and Egypt, the modern labyrinth’s purpose was to leave the outside world behind and create a space to unwind, think about your relationship with a Higher Power, yourself, other people and the planet.

Her mind settled down after several paces and she took pleasure in the feel of the moisture-filled air on her skin, the stone under her feet, the sound of grass being mowed in the distance. She felt whole here, free of any insecurities she’d been plagued with since she’d married Keith. She realized she was tired of carrying around that emotional albatross. And why should she? She’d managed to create a life for herself, and her kids were wonderful. Even Alex was doing better.

Annie realized she’d reached the center of the maze, which was a big round stone. She dropped down onto it before her trek back and crossed her legs in the lotus position. As she sat there, she thought about Spence’s family and how they obviously adored him. She pictured him holding little Ellie and how he’d even been considerate of her dog. And she considered what he’d told her about AllGreen.

In her heart, she knew Spence cared about her deeply. Was she punishing him by not allowing him closer emotionally or at all physically? Did she really want to live her life distanced from a man she cared about? Okay, she could have chosen someone safer, someone who didn’t present the same problems Keith had. But that hadn’t happened. She wanted Spence Wickham in her life, and it was time to let their relationship proceed more naturally without all her caveats.

The decision lightened her mood, so she knew she was right.

o0o

“I was surprised to get your call,” Spence said when she opened her front door to him at lunchtime on Thursday. Hell, did she have to wear that sexy, yellow sundress?

“I wanted to see you. We haven’t talked since Sunday.”

“Your call to take it slow.”

“I know. Come on in. I made fresh lemonade.”

She led him through the house to the backyard. Jake, sleeping under the oak tree, roused at the noise they made and then loped over to them. And leapt on Spence!

“Hey, there, boy.”

“I can’t believe it,” Annie said. “He never welcomes anybody to the house.”

She poured the lemonade she’d set on the table, then nodded to the other side of the patio. “Let’s sit on the swing.”

Out here, the air was scented with the wild profusions of flowers, which spilled from the pots flanking the stone patio, and the newly mowed grass. With Jake at his feet, Spence drank from his glass. “I’m not sure I ever had lemonade made from scratch.”

“My mother fixed it as a treat for me. How did your mother spoil you?”

“She baked well but wasn’t very adept at cooking. The guys and I used to groan at almost every meal when she left the room.”

“From what you told me, I can’t imagine your father putting up with that.”

“He didn’t.” Spence’s voice had gone flat. “He hired a cook. When he left us, Mom let her go.”

She grasped his hand, brought it to her mouth and kissed it. He was surprised she initiated the contact but said nothing, though his body reacted.

“I’m sorry your childhood was so difficult with your dad. Then you lost Joe, Sr. too.”

He hated opening up, talking about this. But she obviously wanted him to. So he’d do it. For her. “I think I never admitted how difficult it was to lose him. Joey cried all the time, but I kept my feelings inside. I missed Joe Sr., though, a lot.” Picturing the healthy, robust man lying in his grave silenced him.

Thankfully, Jake came up and bumped Spence’s knee with his nose, as if asking for the ear scratch he got.

When the dog licked Spence’s hand, a girlish grin spread across Annie’s face. “Do you think he associates you with PetPlay?”

Jake barked, making them both smile.

“Seems so. I could sign us up for the three months’ special they’re running.”

“It costs so much. And what if it doesn’t…you know…work out with us?”

The hopeful feeling he had at her inviting him here was doused by her statement. “You know the way to PetPlay.”

Scooting over on the swing, she tucked her legs beneath her and linked her arm with his. The action brought her breast flush against him and he nearly groaned. “I’m sorry I’ve hurt you by putting this distance between us.”

Silent, he didn’t deny the allegation.

“I’m done doing that. Let’s go out tonight. I’m not working and Mom can take the kids.”

“I can’t. When I leave here, I’m catching a plane to New York City to meet with clients.”

“The AllGreen people?”

“Yes.” For some reason, he didn’t want to go into any more detail about what he was doing with the company. Was it because if AllGreen folded, she’d be disappointed in him? If so, the notion was totally unpalatable.

“Your mother said you were going to help them instead of closing them down. You alluded to it that night in the car.”

“Why would my mother talk to you about that?”

“I don’t know, maybe to show you’ve softened.”

“Not in work, Annie. You can’t be soft in this business. I’ll do what’s best for Global Industries.”

“But AllGreen’s made some progress, right?”

“Yes. Though, in the end, if they don’t get enough customers, salvaging them will be out of the question.”

“It must be hard for the people in the company to have their dreams die.”

“Don’t personalize my business, Annie.” He checked his watch. “I have to be at the airport by two. We should probably eat.”

Lunch passed pleasantly. Spence even took a few minutes to play fetch with Jake—another first for the dog in ages. When he was ready to leave, Annie linked arms with him on the way to the foyer. At the door, he turned to her. Her eyes were sparkling, and for the first time since she’d found out he’d lied to her, he saw contentment, maybe even approval, there. “I sense something’s changed with you. You’ve been cuddling up to me the whole time I’ve been here. But I’m not going to push you further physically until I get a sign from you it’s what you want.”

Annie slid her arms around his neck. “How’s this?”

“Loud and clear.” He lowered his head.

The moment his body aligned with hers, his senses exploded. He could feel her everywhere. Still, he tried to be gentle, just brushed his mouth over hers. She was the one to increase the pressure of her lips on his, and Spence got that message, too. His arms tightened around her back, her breasts flattened against his chest and he could feel her heart picking up in rhythm. Widening his legs, he pressed his hips into hers. Desire thrummed through him, fast and potent. She went up on tiptoes and hugged him tighter, opened his mouth with her tongue. He jerked at the gentle invasion, but his tongue met hers, twined with it and complemented it. Eventually, though, he drew away from her because he knew that, soon, there’d be no stopping this.